Ducati has unveiled the new Desmo250 MX, a motocross bike powered by an all-new 249.7cc desmodromic single-cylinder engine capable of revving up to 15,000 rpm. The model expands the Italian brand’s presence in the off-road segment and arrives just one year after the debut of the Desmo450 MX, the first modern motocross bike from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
The launch is significant because it shows that Ducati is not treating motocross as a one-off venture, but rather as a new strategic direction. The Desmo250 MX was developed on the tracks of the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship alongside Alessandro Lupino and inherits solutions from the Desmo450 MX, combining a high-revving engine, advanced electronics, and a chassis designed to deliver precision under braking, through corners, and on corner exits.
The biggest technical highlight is the engine. Compact and lightweight at just 24.7 kg, it produces 44.5 hp at 12,500 rpm and 28.3 Nm of torque at 8,800 rpm. According to Ducati, the project benefits from knowledge gained from the Panigale V4 R, including the same bore and stroke dimensions of 81 x 48.4 mm.
The desmodromic system is one of Ducati’s trademarks: it controls both the opening and closing of the valves with extreme precision, allowing higher engine speeds and a more direct throttle response.
This technology, traditionally associated with the brand’s superbikes, now appears in a 250cc motocross machine. In practice, it allows riders to stretch each gear further, which is particularly important in key race situations such as starts, corner exits, and sections where a few tenths of a second can make all the difference.
The electronics package is equally impressive. The Desmo250 MX features two engine maps configurable through the X-Link app, Ducati Traction Control adjustable across three levels, two levels of engine brake control, three levels of launch control, and a quickshifter for upshifts. The traction control system is one of the standout features: rather than acting generically, it calculates power reduction based on actual rear-wheel slip, aiming for a more precise and progressive intervention.
Another unusual feature for the segment is predictive maintenance. Inspired by Ducati Corse‘s experience in MotoGP and World Superbike, the technology calculates engine stress levels in real time according to usage. Service intervals can therefore be adjusted based on riding style: shorter for intensive professional use and longer for amateur riders.
Visually, the most striking detail is the combination of Ducati Red with a full competition motocross setup: an aluminum frame, cast-aluminum swingarm, Takasago Excel wheels, Pirelli Scorpion MX32 tires, and Showa suspension with Kashima coating on the fork tubes.
The motorcycle weighs just 103 kg without fuel, features a 2-liter fuel tank, and rides on a 21-inch front wheel and a 19-inch rear wheel.
The chassis package follows the Desmo450 MX platform, featuring a perimeter frame and fully adjustable Showa suspension. Up front, a 49 mm inverted fork provides 310 mm of travel, while the rear monoshock offers 301 mm. Braking duties are handled by Brembo components with 260 mm Galfer front discs and 240 mm rear discs.
Ducati will also offer racing accessories through its Ducati Performance catalog, allowing customers to create a replica of the Desmo250 MX used by Simone Mancini in the European MXGP Championship. Available components include machined triple clamps, a full exhaust system, a titanium Akrapovič silencer, Brembo Racing calipers, and Showa “Kit A” suspension.
The new Ducati Desmo250 MX will be available in Ducati Red and is scheduled to arrive at selected European dealerships in July 2026. North American distribution is expected to begin in August before expanding to additional markets.
Technical Specifications — Ducati Desmo250 MX MY2027
Colors
- Ducati Red
Engine
- Desmo250 single-cylinder engine
- Displacement: 249.7cc
- Maximum power: 44.5 hp at 12,500 rpm
- Maximum torque: 28.3 Nm at 8,800 rpm
Chassis and Structure
- Twin-spar aluminum frame
- Cast-aluminum rear swingarm
- Fuel tank capacity: 2 liters
Suspension
- Front suspension: 49 mm Showa inverted fork, fully adjustable
- Front suspension travel: 310 mm
- Kashima coating on fork tubes
- Rear suspension: fully adjustable Showa monoshock
- Rear wheel travel: 301 mm
Brakes
- Brembo braking system
- Single 260 mm Galfer front disc
- Single 240 mm Galfer rear disc
Wheels and Tires
- Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid-Soft tires
- Front tire: 80/100-21″
- Rear tire: 100/90-19″
- Takasago Excel aluminum wheels with Alpina spokes
- Front wheel: 21″ x 1.60″
- Rear wheel: 19″ x 2.15″
Transmission
- DID chain final drive
Electronics
- 2 power modes
- 2 riding modes
- Riding modes configurable via the X-Link accessory app
- Next-generation Ducati Traction Control (DTC), adjustable across three levels
- Power Launch
- Quickshifter
- Engine Brake Control
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Source and images: Ducati. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
